Breaking News!

I am so excited to announce the arrival of our nephew Sebastian Perez! Obviously I haven't seen him but according to my losing-her-mind with excitement MIL he is v. big with chubby cheeks. Of course she hasn't seen him yet either, this particular story is so hot off the virtual press. Maghanoy.com will have to bear these reports out later with actual pics. Our favorite photog Arnold will be arriving on the scene tomorrow morning to investigate! Below find a snippet of my exclusive interview with new-grandma Carmen...

Amelie: How does it feel to be a grandma?

Carmen: Yo me siento super-abuela!!!

This means something of a combination of I feel great/ I am super grandma!

Woooo-hooo!

PS Thanks to Rachel for her tips on how to dominate my raccoon friend.

Updates

So yesterday I thought squirrels were throwing stuff off the roof, but it turns out upon further inspection that I had some kind of... I kid you not... Mexican jumping bean in my dining room. It was crazy the thing was throwing itself all over the place making a racket. I never did get a good look at it but I did put a bowl over it since it was driving me absolutely nuts. Arnold would not approve, he says if I am going to kill bugs I should smash them not suffocate them under bowls. Poor little jumping bean is on the other side now probably and I do feel bad but... oh well, that's what you get if you make too much noise in my house.

In other, far more exciting news, my mother-in-law (who still does not know that Arnold is going to surprise her on Monday) called to tell us that Nydia(my brother-in-laws wife) was heading to the hospital to give birth. So now the baby watch is on! Although I am really feeling for Nydia because she went in last night at 12 and now at 12 noon Santander time she apparently hasn't entered into really intense labor yet... I'm guessing... I didn't quite understand what my MIL was saying but that's okay, when the baby comes I'll probably get the gist of it. :) Until then, I am counting the minutes until I officially become an aunt! I can't wait for my little sobrino to meet his crazy gringa tia Emily!

Summer days... drifting away

I read two books this week, both recommended and both finished in essentially one round trip plane ride to Columbus, OH.

Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling, Thumbs up, I was quite satisfied
The Glass Castle - Jeanette Walls, v.g. highly recommended

Unfortunately now that I have left my cozy little world of books, hotels and all-day work schedule I am back at my house, which is still very cute but feels a little lonely without Arnold. Ex. No one cooked breakfast for me this morning and now I have to make my own bed. Life is so hard!

Also I had an unfortunate incident with a raccoon the other night which ended with me taking my trash to Lisa's house instead of using my own trashcan. Freaking trees and woodland creatures, it's like I live in the forest! As I write this the stupid squirrels are throwing things at the window, it's quite unnerving. The raccoon didn't even have the good sense to fear me when I came after him with a flashlight, he just started coming closer and getting up on his hind legs. Which was intimidating but less so cause he was quite a portly guy so he was moving slow. If anyone has tips for scaring raccoons let me know... until then I am going to have to use the trashcan only in the protection of broad daylight.

Whiskie and I are sad. We miss Arnold. :(

Normally after a visit from my parents I would be busy recapping the visit by regaling you with tales of bizarre incidents precipated by their arrival, like how my Mom somehow ripped a $10 bill in half trying to buy some french fries or how my Dad... well some stories should just stay within the family. Anyways, I have not been dutifully blogging but instead I've been alternating between moping, eating sushi and going to see Les Miz. (Les Miz!) To make it up I'm going to do my best to post some pics this week. :) Here's some before and after of our kitchen where my parents and Arnold worked their magic. I of course didn't really help... directly... someone has to bring home the bacon... even if my Dad is the one who ended up frying it.

Before Dad's magic...

During.... what a happy worker!!!

And the grand finish!!!

I miss my Mommy and Daddy

Sadly today I had to fly my parental units back home. I am in denial that they have left "Casa Profesor" as refugees from the chaos that was the home improvement process. (No worries, pics to and anecdotes to come when I am done flopping around dramatically on the couch.) On the upside it seems that the Maghanoy parental units and Arnold had a good time bonding. When I came home all sad-faced to my clean and quiet house Arnold said "I understand... I miss them too" Awwwww....

Oh my GOODNESS! Alright, I am kind of breaking the rules by saying this because Grandma does NOT like to be in the blog, but I am so excited! My Grandma is here visiting us, and I feel like a celebrity is in my house! Plus she likes the house, and what do I have to strive for if not my Gma's approval? :) Tomorrow the parental units arrive for our housewarming party! Woo-hoo!

Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans?